This morning a copy of Martin's new book The
Underwater Photographer dropped through my letterbox. The book will
be officially released at LIDS (1/2 April 2006), but I believe that
this is such an important book for BSoUP that I wanted to write a
review straight away. The reason I got my copy early, which I state
so that you can account for any bias, is that I wrote a short section
on filters (just 10 of the 392 pages). But apart from that I don't
actually know Martin as well as most BSoUP members and we have never
dived together.

The Underwater Photographer is a third edition, but
it has been so thoroughly revised to include digital techniques that
it could have easily justified a new title. If you own the second
edition then you will already probably want the third. The late,
great Jim Church said of second edition that it 'set a standard that
will only be surpassed when Martin writes a third edition'. And
Martin has clearly worked tirelessly to ensure that it does live up
to that billing.

First impressions are that this is a substantial
volume at just under 400 pages. It is full colour throughout, and is
divided into 5 sections: The Basics and Beyond; The Digital
Revolution; Using SLRS and Compacts Underwater; The Mindset (Martin's
Think and Consider approach to underwater photography); and The Big
Four (Composition, Lighting, Macro and Wide Angle).

The Underwater Photographer is seriously
comprehensive and will clearly serve as a faithful and thorough
reference manual. But the author's enthusiastic, personal and
accessible style make it easy reading. As Peter Rowlands says in the
foreword Martin's gift is to be able to explain this multi-faceted
subject both simply and comprehensively. Technical issues are dealt
with thoroughly but reassuringly free from jargon, and even if it
gets a bit technical, you can always skim through the heavy stuff and
skip to Martin's personal recommendations, to instantly improve your
shots. There are a few opinions I disagree with, but I would say the
same about most other underwater photography books I have read.

To really get the most out of this book you really
have to buy in to Martin's philosophy. In my opinion, Martin's
strength as a photography teacher is that he is not an instinctive
photographer. His images are the result of analysis, planning and
calculated execution. He understands better than most why his images
work, and when they don't why they have failed. He understands the
technical and artistic decisions that go into producing a great
image. Put simply his book helps the reader do the same.

Another nice feature of the book is that the author
directs the reader to useful further information. He also regularly
refers to other photographers' work as examples and asks thought
provoking questions such as: 'Consider your favourite underwater
photographer.. Doubilet? Newbert? Cathy Church? How do you think your
images would improve if they chose your subjects?' And naturally,
BSoUP and BSoUP members are mentioned regularly!

It is very hard to think of any negatives. If I had
to say something, I would say that the standard of the images is not
absolutely world class throughout (although I would add the standard
and detail of the teaching most certainly is). The images have been
chosen to demonstrate techniques and to re-affirm points. But I would
like to see an extra sprinkling of gratuitously stunning images in
there.

In conclusion, this book is very impressive and as
up to date as a work of this magnitude could hope to be. In short, if
you are an underwater photographer and you want to improve your
images then I recommend buying this book. That's as straight as I can
put it.